Marquel Blackwell
Marquel Blackwell (born July 29, 1979) is a former American football quarterback and current running backs coach Houston.
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Running backs coach |
| Team | Houston |
| Conference | The American |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | July 29, 1979 St. Petersburg, Florida |
| Alma mater | University of South Florida |
| Playing career | |
| 1999-2002 | South Florida |
| 2003 | New York Jets |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2006 | Tampa (FL) Freedom HS (OC) |
| 2007–2008 | Tampa (FL) Freedom HS |
| 2009–2011 | South Florida (QC) |
| 2012 | Western Kentucky (RB) |
| 2014 | St. Petersburg (FL) Lakewood HS (AHC/OC) |
| 2015 | Florida (QCS) |
| 2016–2017 | Toledo (RB) |
| 2018 | West Virginia (RB) |
| 2019 | Houston (co-OC/QB) |
| 2020-present | Houston (RB) |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 2013 | South Florida (DPD) |
Playing career
After playing for Lakewood High School and Dixie Hollins High School in Pinellas County Florida, Blackwell was the quarterback at the University of South Florida for four seasons.[1] Blackwell became a starter three games into his redshirt freshman season and led South Florida to a 30–12 mark during the Bulls' move from Division I-AA to I-A in 2001. During his college career from 1999 to 2002, he threw for 9,108 yards and 57 touchdowns, and had 1,235 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. He set most of the school's individual passing records during his time as quarterback; as of 2009, he is also the Bulls' No. 6 career rusher and No. 3 in rushing touchdowns.[1][2]
Blackwell entered the 2003 NFL Draft but was not drafted. He signed with the New York Jets as a rookie free agent but only saw playing time in 1 preseason game in the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. Blackwell threw for two touchdowns and 111 yards in the first half. He was the Jets' No. 2 QB in Week 1 of the regular season (The Jets released backup Jamie Martin so the club did not have to pay his entire season salary if he was not on the roster Week 1), only to be cut again after week 1 when Martin returned.[2] Blackwell had brief stints, but did not appear, in the Arena Football League with the Tampa Bay Storm, in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and in the CFL. He did start one game in Arena Football 2, where former Dixie and USF teammate Glenn Davis served as assistant coach.
Coaching career
following his playing career Blackwell spent two years as the head coach of Freedom High School's football team and in 2009 became a program assistant at the University of South Florida.[3]
On February 15, 2018, Blackwell was named the running backs coach at West Virginia University.[4]
Blackwell joined Dana Holgorsen at the University of Houston on January 11, 2019 as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.[5] Following the 2019 season, Blackwell was demoted to running backs coach after Houston was 78th in yards per game on offense in 2019.
References
- "Bio: Marquel Blackwell". University of South Florida. August 25, 2009. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- Putnam, Bob (September 7, 2003). "Jets ground Blackwell". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- Auman, Greg (August 6, 2009). "South Florida brings back former quarterback Marquel Blackwell as program assistant". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- Bailey, Vernon (February 15, 2018). "WVU football announces the hiring of Marquel Blackwell". WV Sports Rivals. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- https://www.chron.com/sports/cougars/article/Dana-Holgorsen-adds-4-assistants-to-UH-staff-13528054.php